The daily search for a great bottle of wine. Or at least an affordable one!

SAINT BRENDAN'S IRISH CREAM and WINE NOTES

Mon., 2/26, Little Rock, AR

No
review of wine today but I do want to discuss wine store trends and
hopefully get some feedback on likes and dislikes. As you may, or many
not know, I'm on a 5-year quest to open a very unique wine store in
Little Rock, Arkansas and I want to incorporate some of the ideas I've
seen and read about. A recent article in the Wall Street Journal
highlighted various wine store trends. Some I like and some I don't
think I will try to adopt. Before I go into that I would like to
recommend Saint Brendan's Irish Cream Liqueur.
I've got a little tasting glass that holds about 2 ounces that I filled
last night as a nightcap. I've had this, as well as Bailey's, in the
past and have to say St. Brendan's is my favorite, and it is
considerably cheaper than Bailey's. A great Irish Cream/Coffee drink
recipe follows at the end of this post. I found it at a restaurant in
Geneva, Illinois, 302 West (no longer in business), and the bartender
surprisingly gave me the recipe.

Wine Store Trends I'm thinking about adopting

1. Tasting notes- My
own tasting notes displayed with every bottle and a copy of said note
included with every purchased bottle. Also computers placed throughout
the store where customers can scan a bottle and the screen displays all
sorts of info about the wine as well as tasting notes and food pairings.

2. Purchase History - Have
my store's check out register record every wine purchased by customers
name/store card so that a well received wine can be remembered if the
customer forgets but wants to repurchase a wine.

3. Handpicked wines - A
section of the store devoted to wines from small producers that are
unique and not readily available. I intend on getting a wholesalers
license in addition to a retail license so that I can source wine not
represented in Arkansas. Believe me, there are many that aren't!

4. Weekly tastings - Probably
Friday-Sat. afternoons, using real stemware and in a dedicated part of
the store where comfortable chairs and coffee tables are arranged. I'll
also try to have reps from the vineyards at tastings as often as
possible.

5. Wine Dinners - Dinners
at partner restaurants where a variety of wines/food pairings can be
tried. On-the-spot ordering from attendees who want to purchase featured
wines with home delivery included.

6. In-Home Tastings - I
would schedule in-home tastings with a minimum 4 or 5 couples or 10
singles highlighting different wines. I would likely partner with a
catering firm to offer appetizers to accompany each wine. After the
nights presentation I would take and fill orders from the attendees with
extra wine brought specifically for the event.

That's
some of the things I'm looking at doing. Comments, suggestions would be
most appreciated. The recipe I promised follows. Sit Long, Talk Much,
Laugh Often, Drink Wine!

302 West Coffee Drink

Ingredients:

Lime Juice

Cinnamon

Sugar

Grand Marnier

Saint Brendan's Irish Cream

Coffee

Whipped Cream

-
Pour lime juice onto a saucer. Mix equal parts cinnamon and sugar and
also place onto a saucer. Taking a red wine shaped stemware, dip edges
into lime juice then into the cinnamon sugar mix. Add 1 shot of Grand
Marnier. Light with a long match and swirl in the glass to caramelize
sugar. Be sure to carefully extinguish the flame. Add 1 1/2 shots of
Irish Cream then fill to top with coffee. Top with whipped cream. Enjoy!